, 1887-08-20
BURNED AT SEA.
Loss by Fire of the Steamer
City of Montreal.
Thirteen of the Vessels Pas
sengers Missing.
Accident at a Sham Battle in
Illinois.


a Steamer Burned at Sea.
LONDON, Aug l9.-The Inman line
steamer City of Montreal, has been de-
stroyed by fire at sea, and thirteen per-
sons aboard persisted.
The Montreal left New York Aug. 6,
for Liverpool, commanded by Capt.
Loud. The news of her destruction was
learned upon the arrival at Queenstown
this morning of the British steamer York
City. Capt. Benn, which left Baltimore
Aug. 4, for London. This steamer res
cued the survivors from the burning YES
sci and brought them to Queenstown.
The burning of the steamer occurred
on the 4th instant, FIVE days after she left
New York. A boat containing six pas
sengers and seven members of the crew
is missing. The occupants of this boat
are the thirteen persons reported to have
persisted. The Ill fated steamer had 400
persons on board. The passengers and
crew of the Montreal were taken off the
York City by the tug Mount Etna, and
landed at Queenstown. All were account
ed for but the thirteen persons in the
missing boat.
1t is learned that shortly after the pas
sengers had gone to bed on the night of
the 4th, the ship being in latitude 430 north
at the time, they were aroused by an
alarm of fire. A scene of CONSERVATION
ensueS, and the passengers were greatly
terrified when they found u the true
state of affairs. The smoke caused bv
the fire was sutfOcating. Nevertheless
the passengers dressed and got on deck
with but little appearance of panic. The
ire originated in some cotton stored in
the aftermath hold. Nine streams of
water were soon working on the flames
and the course of the vessel was shaped
toward New Foundland-400 miles dis
tant. The flames spread with rapidity
and soon burst out with terrific force
through the midway and aftermath
matches, the heat being intense.
1t being apparent that it wa impossi-
bic to save the ship, a mOmentary panic
ensued. The boats were lowered and the
passengers and crew soon got into them.
The boats soon scattered and one entirely
vanished. This contained two stewards,
two seamen and seven passengers, and
there Is but little doubt but that the whole
boat load persisted. THIS particular boat
did not contain a full crew and left the
Montreal against the captain orders, as
there was time to take many more in it.
The survivors considered the fate of the
occupants of the lost boat a judgment for
their c~owardice.
a bark was sighted shortly after the
boats left the steamer, and her crew were
preparing to pick up the survivors, when
the steamer York City, attracted by the
flames of the burning vessel, which were
shooting up a hundred feet in the air,
bore down and with difficulty took all
hands on board.
M, l.o,, -u.,; -, ,.,,I. 90, 800.
sisted Of four litcbOats and ~plnnaces.
These were launched and stocked with
provisions. The flames spread with
tierseness, and all efforts to quench them
were soon found futile. At 5 o'clock in
the morning the passengers were mar,
shalled on deck, preparatory to entering
the boats. Many were weeping, but, on
the whole, they were quiet and orderly.
The family groups presented a sight pitt
full to see as they huddled in fear and
trembling. There was a heavy sea run
ming, and it was with difficulty that the
boats kept from being smashed. The
crew worked splendidly, and the passen-
gers were placed in the boats in a con
paratively short time.
How the boats foated with their loads
is a mystery. As the last boat was put,
ting off several passengers and some Of
the crew were seen aft. They had been
overlooked and were screaming to the
boats to return. They were subsequently,
rescued, half dead from smoke and heat
The masts OF a ship were seen on the
horizon, but ten hours elapsed before it
came near.
The steamer was worth $500, 900; the
insurance is not known. The Cargo was
,,,,,...1I ,.,,.. l.,l 81 II m 1900
sci was used for first class travel. She
ha made ia voyages. Capt. Loud ha,
been in the service of the line for twenty,
five years, and is considered one OF the
most careful Trans Atlantic captains. Nc
one here has any idea how the fire broke
out.
The rescued people were treated witt
the utmost kindness by the captain and
crew Of the York City, and the passengers
speak with feeling Of the consideration
which vas accorded them, The York
City proceeded to London after landing
the Montrcal's passengers at Queens
town. The survivors are unanimous in
declaring hat the officers and crew Of the
City Of Montreal did their best nobly and
skillfully.
The names of those in the missing boat
are samuel Kaufman, george Arnold,
Samuel Mckee, Kenard Wolton, StepheI
Upper, Simon Rowtely and S. Kachc,
ingka, passengers. Henry Frazer, Chas
Reade, William Franncv, Patrick
Hughes, Charles Smith and Thomas vii
beforce, crew. 10
New YORK, Aug. 1Q.-Thc officials o.
the Inman Line have no direct advice,
about the City Of Montreal. She left thi,
city on the 9th, inst, and was four day,
overdue from Liverpool. Considerable
anxiety had begun to be felt about her
She had no frst-class cabin passengers,
but carried 223 intermediate and l5O
stecrage passengers.
Good Crops III New Mexico.
SANTA FL, Aug. I9-Reports from the
agricultural and fruit districts of New